This year I cajoled the family into letting me put up most of my Santas. Although John nearly fell off the ladder we managed to get all the Santas down with no actual people hurt. We must, however, bid adieu to Mailman Santa who accidentally fell off the mantle and smashed his legs into a zillion pieces. We left his place empty among the Working Group as a remembrance.

The newest member of our son’s household and pet to Alex is Ebi. Ebi is about a year old and is reported to be a very friendly kitty. That’s great because we have had cats that were very friendly at the shelter but then turned into not so friendly tyrants when we got them home. (Gilbert, I am talking about you.)

Ebi is Japanese for shrimp. Ebi, the kitty, has the coloring of a shrimp which I think is the rationale behind the name. Welcome to the family, Ebi!